McNeese State at North Texas

Larry Johnson scored 31 points in McNeese's 99-78 win over UAB on Monday, and the Cowboys shot 55.1% from the field with 12 threes on 25 attempts. UAB opened 5 of 6 from the floor and led 15-6, then trailed 44-35 at halftime. McNeese scored 44 points in the paint in that game and went 8 of 8 on dunks. North Texas opened its season the same night with a 122-50 win over Southwestern Christian, leading 57-17 at the half. Six Mean Green players reached double figures. They forced 16 steals, scored 32 points off turnovers and won the rebounding battle 61-27. Freshman Aeneas Alexander had 22 points and nine rebounds, and Cash Chavis added 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. North Texas shot 8 of 36 from three across its two exhibitions and lost the second one to Northwestern State. McNeese forced 11 UAB turnovers in the first half, and North Texas turned its steals into points at a rate that matches it, so I see this game coming down to who takes the ball away. Our bankroll needs North Texas to cover a little more than half the time. North Texas is the side on the spread this afternoon.